Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly grilled pizza with a thick, golden-brown crust that's crispy on the outside and delightfully soft on the inside. This isn't just another pizza recipe – this is a game-changing grilling technique that will transform your backyard cooking and impress even the most discerning pizza lovers. Get ready to elevate your pizza game from ordinary to extraordinary with our mouthwatering Grilled Thick Crust Pizza that promises restaurant-quality results right in your own backyard!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your grill by preheating it to medium-high heat (around 425-450°F). Ensure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Remove pizza dough from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to become more pliable and easier to stretch.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/2 inch thickness, creating a thick crust that will hold up well to grilling.
- Brush one side of the dough generously with olive oil to help prevent sticking and promote beautiful grill marks.
- Carefully transfer the oiled side of the dough directly onto the preheated grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom develops golden-brown grill marks and becomes firm.
- Using tongs, flip the partially grilled dough to the other side. Quickly spread pizza sauce evenly across the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then distribute pepperoni slices evenly across the pizza.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top for additional flavor and texture.
- Close the grill lid and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the bottom of the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the pizza from the grill using a large spatula or pizza peel. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to set.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, slice into wedges, and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
- Optional: For extra flavor, drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the pizza just before serving.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Ensure your grill is preheated to the right temperature (425-450°F) for perfect crust development.
- Room Temperature Dough: Always let your pizza dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling to make it more manageable.
- Oil is Your Friend: Generously brush the dough with olive oil to prevent sticking and create beautiful grill marks.
- Work Quickly: Once the pizza is on the grill, have all your toppings ready to add swiftly to prevent burning.
- Use the Right Tools: A pizza peel or large spatula makes transferring and removing the pizza much easier.
- Don't Overload Toppings: Too many toppings can prevent the crust from cooking properly.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pizza to rest for 2-3 minutes after grilling to let the cheese set and make slicing easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 428kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 45mg
